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Rhys Michaels was not only an experienced lawyer, but also an important member of Cincinnati society He ca those connections and a keen intelligence with regard to the legal system to rise to the top of his profession Rhys’s career was all about the win; he took great care to avoid those cases that he kneould be impossible to win Rhys didn’t care about the victi as they could pay the exorbitant fees he charged and furthered the career that, if not stopped, would lead to the e in the United States
The courtroo only Rhys and his assistant
“Let’s go celebrate” Daniel smiled as Rhys shook his head
“I can’t Deena had an appoint a special dinner to tell es with my secretary to tell me to be home early”
The unusual es had made Rhys deteres in themselves spoke volumes as to the importance of Deena’s request Usually, she wasof the de to leave small notes he would see as he left for work
“Of course it will be a girl With a beautiful wife and two perfect sons, the only thing left is for a baby girl to make you one of the luckiest bastards I know”
“Jealous?” Rhys laughed He didn’t bla hours to help with this last case, only to see Rhys take all the credit Rhys remembered what it was like when he had first started out as a young law clerk
“Daht My life would have been complete with Deena—she’s beautiful, sweet, and absolutely devoted to you—but you’ve also just won the biggest case of your career The reporters will all be talking about you on television tonight”
Rhys finished putting his paperwork away in his briefcase “I can’t take all the credit; I had quite a bit of help I appreciate all the work you did on the case,” Rhys complimented his assistant
“That’s what you paybucks for—to help you win Of course, I do have the additional benefit of being seen next to you on the news Think I can snare a woman as perfect as Deena?” Daniel joked
“Not on your best day There is only one Deena”
Rhys had taken one look at Deena in their university English class and chased her relentlessly until she’d agreed to go on a date with hi a family as both sets of their parents had died—Deena’s when she was still in high school and Rhys had lost both of his just a few ave the since their parents’ untimely deaths These days, Deena was a stay at ho their luxurious ho for their two sons
As Daniel and Rhys walked towards the heavy doors of the courtrooli, he looked closer and could have sworn he saw an outline of a woure had disappeared Thinking the sun’s rays, which shone directly into the courthouse s, had reflected on an object, Rhys caught up to Daniel as staring at him in confusion
Outside, they walked towards the parking garage When Rhys turned towards the entrance, Daniel once again tried to convince Rhys to keep him company for a drink
”Co What’s twenty minutes?”
Finally giving in, Rhys shrugged and then turned away froe
“Just a quick one I owe you for that evidence you pulled out at the lastdoo his sto like it in his life He searched the er
Stopping in his tracks, Rhys turned back toward the parking garage to get his car, an intuition telling hi at his mind
Rhys had only taken a few steps before Daniel and several other lawyers called out to him from the doorway to the bar The close proximity to the courthouse provided a liness that people could inflict upon each other Feeling ridiculous at his indecision and deciding a quick drink wouldn’t put him behind more than ten minutes, Rhys moved toward his friends
Fate stood on the sidewalk, frowning So to interfere If she had not used her power, he would be headed home to certain death Whoever it was, they eak, not even close to the power she wielded Fate felt the power of the other i an old source ofthat even a human could use if trained correctly
“Do not dare to interfere His path has been esture, Fate destroyed the weak spell before disappearing inside the bar
Rhys’s one drink turned into three As others gathered around eager to fawn over hiain waved her hand when Rhys would have left preht for one of them to order another round of drinks
Rhys started to sit back down in his chair when he felt a hand on his shoulder Turning to look over it, however, he saw no one nearby while the others looked on questioningly at his abrupt movement
Again, a sense of overwhel into his pocket, he ree bills
“I have to go,” he said, standing up
“Come on, Rhys Call Deena and tell her you’ll be late Stay for one more drink,” Daniel tried to delay his boss
Rhys did not answer as he hurried out of the bar
Outside, the cool air struck, ency overca a couple about to enter a cab, he rushed forward, insinuating himself forcefully into the cab before they could He quickly handed the cab driver a large bill and his address, slary couple He would catch a ride in thethe cab would be worth the hassle
The drive took fifteen long er at himself for his actions left him silent when
the driver tried to chat His gut instinct told hi
When the driver pulled in front of his house, Rhys ju out his keys with shaking fingers, his stoed when he found the door ajar Deena was always very careful to lock the doors and engage the security system The mansion was secluded, and with Rhys’s wealth and enely leave the door opened
“Deena?”
The silence struck Rhys instantly At this tiht, he should have heard the boys’ voices as they took their baths as well as Deena’s soft laughter while she delighted in their antics All of that wasevery muscle in his body taut
Rhys walked toward the kitchen hoping to find Deena, praying she was drinking her favorite brewed tea as she waited patiently for him However, his sharpthat were usually in the air when he arrived ho a sound fro hi for Daddy to read them their favorite bedtime story
Opening the door, Rhys would never forget the sight that met his eyes Deena lay on the floor covered in blood, her blank stare leaving him no doubt she was dead
Moving forward, he tripped over soest child A yell of pure anguish escaped hi the slight body into his arer there
“Kyle! Please, stay withhis son as he had when he was an infant
“Michael?” Prih Rhys’s lips as he ently on the blood soaked carpet, frantically searching for his oldest son
He found hiripped Rhys in a fierce hug just that ently pulled hi his face in his soft hair, Rhys cried, begging God to bring him back